Parallel adaptive high-order CFD simulations characterising SOFIA cavity acoustics

ABSTRACT

This paper presents large-scale parallel computational fluid dynamics simulations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is an airborne, 2.5-m infrared telescope mounted in an open cavity in the aft fuselage of a Boeing 747SP. These simulations focus on how the unsteady flow field inside and over the cavity interferes with the optical path and mounting structure of the telescope. A temporally fourth-order accurate Runge–Kutta, and a spatially fifth-order accurate WENO-5Z scheme were used to perform implicit large eddy simulations. An immersed boundary method provides automated gridding for complex geometries and natural coupling to a block-structured Cartesian adaptive mesh refinement framework. Strong scaling studies using NASA's Pleiades supercomputer with up to 32 k CPU cores and 4 billion computational cells show excellent scaling. Dynamic load balancing based on execution time on individual adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) blocks addresses irregular numerical cost associated with blocks containing boundaries. Limits to scaling beyond 32 k cores are identified, and targeted code optimisations are discussed.     

A new semiactive nonlinear adaptive controller for structures using MR damper: Design and experimental validation

In this study, we consider the vibration mitigation problem for a structural system using a magneto-rheological (MR) damper. For this purpose, through the use of Lyapunov-based design techniques, a nonlinear adaptive controller which can compensate the parametric uncertainties related to both the structural system and the MR damper has been constructed. To overcome effects of the unmeasurable internal dynamics of the MR damper on the controller, a filter-based design has been utilized. Experimental results performed on a six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) structure installed on a shaking table, illustrating the viability and the performance of the proposed method are also included.     

Dielectrophoresis in microfluidics technology

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the movement of a particle in a non-uniform electric field due to the interaction of the particle's dipole and spatial gradient of the electric field. DEP is a subtle solution to manipulate particles and cells at microscale due to its favorable scaling for the reduced size of the system. DEP has been utilized for many applications in microfluidic systems. In this review, a detailed analysis of the modeling of DEP-based manipulation of the particles is provided, and the recent applications regarding the particle manipulation in microfluidic systems (mainly the published works between 2007 and 2010) are presented.     

A tag-less method for direct isolation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by gravitational field-flow fractionation

The analysis of cellular and molecular profiles represents a powerful tool in many biomedical applications to identify the mechanisms underlying the pathological changes. The improvement of cellular starting material and the maintenance of the physiological status in the sample preparation are very useful. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) are a model for prediction of endothelial dysfunction. HUVEC are enzymatically removed from the umbilical vein by collagenase. This method provides obtaining a good sample yield. However, the obtained cells are often contaminated with blood cells and fibroblasts. Methods based on negative selection by in vitro passages or on the use of defined marker are currently employed to isolate target cells. However, these approaches cannot reproduce physiological status and they require expensive instrumentation. Here we proposed a new method for an easy, tag-less and direct isolation of HUVEC from raw umbilical cord sample based on the gravitational field-flow fractionation (GrFFF). This is a low-cost, fully biocompatible method with low instrumental and training investments for flow-assisted cell fractionation. The method allows obtaining pure cells without cell culture procedures as starting material for further analysis; for example, a proper amount of RNA can be extracted. The approach can be easily integrated into clinical and biomedical procedures.     

Near‐IR Absorbing BODIPY Derivatives as Glutathione‐Activated Photosensitizers for Selective Photodynamic Action

Enhanced spatiotemporal selectivity in photonic sensitization of dissolved molecular oxygen is an important target for improving the potential and the practical applications of photodynamic therapy. Considering the high intracellular glutathione concentrations within cancer cells, a series of BODIPY‐based sensitizers that can generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen only after glutathione‐mediated cleavage of the electron‐sink module were designed and synthesized. Cell culture studies not only validate our design, but also suggest an additional role for the relatively hydrophobic quencher module in the internalization of the photosensitizer.     

The antioxidant effects of dry apricot in the various tissues of rats with induced cold restraint stress

α-Tocopherol and β-carotene are the best known and most widely used natural antioxidant substances. Apricot contains β-carotene, tocopherols and flavonoids. This experimental study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Malatya kabashi apricot in stress-induced injury in various tissues of rats. In total, 32 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, apricot, stress and apricot-stress groups. Apricot was administrated to rats by gavage for 10 days in the apricot and apricot-stress groups. Then rats were kept at 4°C for 4?h in stress and apricot-stress groups. The rats were killed at the end of the experiment for biochemical and histological examinations. This study shows apricot supplementation decreased oxidative stress injury in both the stomach and intestine.     

Aqueous preparation and physiological stability studies of Re(CO)3(tripodal) compounds

Re(CO)3L compounds, where L is a methane-derivatized tripodal ligand, can be prepared under aqueous conditions, and one of which displays significant stability under physiological conditions.     

Optical constants of layered structured Ga0.75In0.25Se crystals from the ellipsometric measurements

We have carried out the spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements on Ga_0.75In_0.25Se single crystals in the 1.2–6.0 eV spectral range at room temperature. The optical constants, real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, refractive index and extinction coefficient, were found as a result of analysis of ellipsometric data. The critical point analysis of the second derivative spectra of the dielectric function revealed four interband transition structures with critical point energy values of 3.19, 3.53, 4.10 and 4.98 eV. The results of the analysis were compared with those of the ellipsometric studies performed on GaSe which is the main constituent of the Ga_0.75In_0.25Se crystal. The obtained critical point energies are in good agreement with the energies of the GaSe crystal reported in the literature.     

3‐Aryl‐5‐furylpyrazolines and their biological activities

Aryl‐furyl substituted pyrazolines 2a–c and 4a–c were prepared by the reaction of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with hydrazine or phenyl hydrazine. N‐chloroacetyl derivatives 3a–c were obtained by the N‐acetylation of 2a–c . The antibacterial activities of synthesized pyrazolines were examined by employing the disk‐diffusion technique. All synthesized compounds showed antibacterial effects in 1200 μg concentration. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:345–347, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10159     

Histopathological Changes in Liver and Heart Tissue Associated with Experimental Ultraviolet Radiation A and B Exposure on Wistar Albino Rats

This study aims to evaluate the influences of ultraviolet radiation A and B ( UVA + B) exposure on the liver and heart organs of albino rats. Female Wistar Albino rats, whose hair of the dorsal skin was shaved, were exposed to a combined UVA + B radiation for 2 h/day, for 4 weeks in order to be compared with the control group. Histopathological findings in vital organs (liver and heart) were evaluated. Tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin (pH = 7.2) and embedded in paraffin. The histopathological findings were examined on the H&E stained sections with light microscopy. The results show that the liver and the heart were injured in the UVA + B group. Liver tissue in the UVA + B group showed minimal vacuolation, enlargement of hepatocytes and bile duct proliferation, and the heart tissue showed hibernomas; uniform large cells resembling brown fat with coarsely granular to multivacuolated cytoplasm that is eosinophilic or pale with a small central nucleus. The number of hibernoma cases was significantly higher in the UVA + B group compared with the control group (P = 0.021). The control group showed normal liver and heart histology with normal adipose tissue in the pericardium. As a result, UVA + B exposure has toxic effects, especially on the liver and the heart of Wistar albino rats. UV radiation may cause such adverse effects in humans. Therefore, protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation is of significant importance for skin and organs.